Zellars burning with USS TENNESSEE in foreground
Taken from USS PORTLAND before USS BENNION DD662 came alongside to assist & lend a doctor & Pharmacist Mate to administer emergancy medical trestment
Avrett,Willard M FC1c 359-87-35 USNR
Bieber, William J. S2c 961-16-03 USNR
Bradley, Andrew J. StM1c 296-05-72 USNR
Brockman, Earle E. Ens. 355494 USN
Burdett, Charles R. CCS 393-25-99 USN
Coleman, Henery S. SK1 644-30-03 USNR
Craig, David S. S1c 891-03-84 USNR
Dankert, Fred J S2c 961-03-92 USNR
Ensley, John R. PhM3c 619-24-45 USNR
Farrall, James W. F1c 677-20-69 USNR
Fletcher, Arthur L. EM1c 668-15-91 USNR
Gedman, Stanley CTM 212-43-28 USN
Gray, Robert A. S1c 945-35-74 USNR
Gunther, William R. LTjg. 328619 USNR
Harris, Charles F. EM2c 669-34-84 USNR
Horist, Joseph A. FC3c 853-48-42 USNR
Hawes, Donald M. SoM3c 924-06-59 USNR
Huges, Charles E. F1c(EM) 849-38-08 USNR
Jones, William F. TM2c 650-46-54 USNR
Keane, Clair V. S2c 973-08-91 USNR
Kinkaid, John F. LT(MD) 140233 USN
King, Alfredo O. S1c 756-05-33 USN
Kramer, John A. BM1c 368-47-07 USN
Liston, John W. S1c 393-76-66 USN
Marmon, Chester G. S1c 961-14-31 USNR
Merriman, Chester L.F1c 888-30-56 USNR
Mohr, John R. FC(R)3c 815-24-96 USNR
Moore, Howard J. S1c 860-76-67 USNR
Murphy, Raymond J. S2c 961-19-26 USNR
Nava, Juan L. SC1c 624-17-20 USNR
Pitts, Elvin E. Cox. 658-09-60 USNR
Potter, Paul L. S2c 973-08-31 USNR
Roach, Billy Joe FC1c 356-75-70 USN
Rohlfer, Kermit G. FC2c 613-17-84 USNR
Shulman, Lester M. MM3c 814-90-18 USNR
Thompson, Ernest R.S2c 861-92-13 USNR
Wallace, Walter St2c 637-25-28 USNR
Watt, Samuel V. Y1c 648-22-20 USNR
Wilbanks, Dwight H. F1c 973-15-36 USNR
Willis, Erville H. BM1c 201-24-93 USN
Wolf, Paul J. S2c 961-04-04 USNR
Wooten, Fred J. S1c 680-49-21 USNR
Wyatt, Chester L. S2c 883-89-06 USNR
Young, William L. S1c 893-40-06 USNR
SUSET AND EVENING STAR, AND ONE CLEAR CALL FOR MAY THERE BE NO MOANING OF THE BAR, WHEN I PUT OUT TO SEA.
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The USS Zellars moving along its way
Brought pride, respect and freedom to the USA.
On April 12, 1945
Three Kamikaze Jills did arrive
Two were gunned down as they flew that day,
The third caused the Zellars to falter and sway.
The torpedo carried on that plane
Caused masses of shrapnel to fall like rain.
As the shrapnel continued to fill the air
Smoke and confusion abounded everywhere.
Leaving some of our shipmates wounded or dead,
Brought within our heart moments of dread.
The dead and wounded included those
Officers and enlisted men God chose.
Constant firing continued to be,
As smoke and fire engulfed the sea.
Loss of power, no water to fight
Left the Zellars in a battle plight.
Though many tears were shed that day
we must remember those lost on the way.
We salute and praise that determined crew,
Our proudhero's of the red white and blue.
Evening found the Zellars listing to port
To receive patch jobs of many sorts.
She returned to the States
To be repaired like new
Then returned to the wavy sea of blue.
Oh, that we may always see
The freedom of America for you and me
We must continue to defend our land
Where every one must take a stand
To guard our contry and keep it strong
From those that choose to do it wrong.
L.D. (Bud) Franklin
Sept. 26,2004
